All posts from the month of January 2010
Today’s Headlines – 1/29/10
January 29, 2010By Transportation for America
The Senate will move likely a job-creation legislation in pieces, with one component devoted to infrastructure. (Roll Call)
President Obama’s high-speed rail push is a strong start, but far short of the funding needed. (TNR)
Transportation for America’s push for transit operating assistance in the jobs bill was cited by a trucking industry news service. (Trucker)
The stimulus bill continues to poll poorly while its basic provisions remain popular. (CNN)
And, Metro riders in Washington DC face a 10 cent fare hike in March rather than service cuts. (WP)
President Obama hails high-speed rail as “the infrastructure of tomorrow”
January 28, 2010By John Robert Smith
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| John Robert Smith is co-chair of the Transportation for America campaign and former mayor of Meridian, Mississippi. |
Hearing President Obama call high-speed rail “the infrastructure of tomorrow” gave me great hope. Very rarely has transportation investment made the final cut in a presidential State of the Union address. The fact that it did make the cut this time really speaks to the president’s commitment to making high-speed rail a reality.
I’ve heard critics say over the years that the U.S. is too big for high-speed rail. China is the biggest country in the world and they built over the Himalayas and are now committing an additional $500 billion over the next 20 years. Saudi Arabia too is investing in high-speed rail in preparation for that certain day when oil reserves will no longer sustain the country. If they can do it, we can do it.
High-speed rail investment is about jobs, and not just temporary jobs, but long-term American jobs that cannot be outsourced. These jobs will employ Americans to build both rail networks and passenger rail equipment. This could be a real lifeline for unemployed automotive workers struggling to get and keep a new job. And these Americans will be going to work building a cleaner environment and more sustainable future for all of our children.
I have seen first-hand what investment in rail infrastructure and transit-oriented development can do to lift a mid-sized city like Meridian, Mississippi. Now there are people living in downtown, there’s entertainment downtown and a conference center has been built. It all started with a public sector investment done right. The vibrancy that returns to smaller communities as a result of rail service has improved the quality of life for millions of Americans. This is not about big city versus small, or urban versus rural. Chicago and Los Angeles will surely benefit from rail investment, but so too will places like Minot, North Dakota and Whitefish, Montana. This addresses the needs of our entire country and should be embraced by our representatives in Washington from all corners.
Of all the issues facing Congress, surely high-speed rail investment can transcend partisanship. As a Republican, I have worked with some the most liberal and conservative members of the United States Senate to protect Amtrak for people who depend on it. I see the potential for similar partnerships today and am heartened that we have a president who is leading the way.
Mayor John Robert Smith is co-chair of the T4 America Campaign, president of Reconnecting America, and former mayor of Meridian, Mississippi.
High speed rail grantees awarded, was your state included?
January 28, 2010By Stephen Lee Davis
As you may have heard by now, President Obama is following up his favorable mention of high speed rail in last night’s State of the Union address with a Tampa event to announce the winners of federal grants for high speed rail service. (In case you missed our official statement about the announcement, read that here.)
The President is due to make his announcement this afternoon, but the list of awardees has already been released. So who were the big winners? Certainly Florida and California, who got the biggest grants, netting $1.25 and $2.3 billion respectively. Although the lion’s share of funding is going toward a handful of corridors, 31 states will receive some portion of funding or benefit from new or improved rail service, according to reporting on the proposal. A few notable bloggers have already done superb analysis of the recipients of the $8 billion, starting with Yonah Freemark’s excellent corridor by corridor breakdown on the Transport Politic:
After months of speculation about which states will get funding from the Federal Railroad Administration to begin construction on new high-speed corridors, the news is in. As has been expected, California, Florida, and Illinois are the big winners, with more than one billion in spending proposed for each. But other states with less visible projects, including Wisconsin, North Carolina, and Washington will also get huge grants and begin offering relatively fast trains on their respective corridors within five years. The distribution of dollars is well thought-out and reasonable: it provides money to regions across the nation and prioritizes states that have made a commitment of their own to a fast train program.
Elana Schor at Streetsblog DC included a quote from Chairman Oberstar, who was certainly delighted at the first small step toward a true nationwide high speed rail network.
House infrastructure committee chairman Jim Oberstar (D-MN) hailed today’s first rail grants as “a transformational moment,” adding: “The development of high-speed rail in the United States is an historic opportunity to create jobs, develop a new domestic manufacturing base, and provide an environmentally-friendly and competitive transportation alternative to the traveling public.”
Information about all the corridors can be found in the White House briefing room online. We hope to post additional reaction and analysis later today or tomorrow.
Today’s Headlines – 1/28/10
January 28, 2010By Transportation for America
As expected, President Obama is in Florida today to announce high-speed funding, which received a mention in last night’s State of the Union address. (WSJ)
California, North Carolina and Illinois are among the other states set to receive rail support. (Bloomberg)
During the address, Obama also reiterated his commitment to bipartisan climate change legislation this year. (Politico)
Senator Barbara Boxer is suggesting as series of small jobs bills, with the first focused primarily on infrastructure. (DowJones)
Washington DC’s Metro board heard from hundreds of riders yesterday on a series of budget proposals. (WP)
And a new study reveals higher rates of mortgage foreclosures in sprawling communities compared to areas with multiple transportation options. (TNR)
T4 America: Prioritize Transportation Investments that Keep More People Working in Meeting President’s Call for New Jobs Measure
January 28, 2010By Transportation for America
Comments to Administration praise high-speed rail initiative, offer key principles for success in preserving, creating infrastructure jobs
Responding to his call for a jobs bill aimed at easing the unemployment crisis, the Transportation for America coalition today wrote to President Obama and cabinet members outlining the transportation investments can put the most Americans back to work, quickly.
The coalition, now with more than 400 members, also applauded the President for moving ahead on his vision for a world-class network of intercity rail. “Our coalition members have worked hard to make the case for just such an investment,” said John Robert Smith, co-chair of T4 America, “so the President’s announcement today of progress on 13 corridors is welcome news, indeed.”
The letter outlines key principles for targeting transportation funding to have the most impact in putting Americans back to work while also laying the groundwork for long-term economic prosperity.
First, Congress can save jobs right now and put laid-off public transit workers back on the job by offering emergency assistance to the hundreds of transit agencies across the country that are facing deep cuts in jobs and service in this economic crisis. This will not only keep bus and train operators working, it also will ensure that other Americans can make it to their jobs. Meanwhile, investments should be made in workforce development training opportunities targeted to workers in greatest need, as well as increases in funding for highway and road programs with the highest job growth potential.
Congress also must recognize that repair, maintenance and upgrades of existing roads and transit systems puts more people to work, faster than building new projects.
“It’s a no-brainer that funding needs to be dedicated to those transportation programs already in place – both to reinstate access to jobs, and provide transit workers with employment,” said James Corless, campaign director for T4 America. “It takes zero time and no red-tape for a transit system to rehire workers or find new employees if given the flexibility to spend funding to reopen cut service lines or repair already existing infrastructure.”
T4 America’s proposal also emphasizes the need to distribute investments towards forward-thinking programs that will begin to advance our nation’s transportation network, including high-speed rail and clean public transportation, both of which can also help to reduce dependence on oil. Crucial to truly revolutionizing the national system is to make sure that this jobs bill is short-term for 2010 only, with a commitment to creating a strong, long-term transportation authorization bill that meets our larger transportation needs.
“If President Obama is serious about another jobs bill that will truly impact job creation and spur economic growth, he and Congress need to allocate investments towards maintenance and operating costs for transit agencies across the country, giving them the ability to decide how best to put the money to use,” said Corless.
Today’s Headlines – 1/27/10
January 27, 2010By Transportation for America
A proposed Oakland airport connector to the San Francisco area’s BART system could lose $70 million in stimulus funds for disregarding equity concerns. (NYT)
Across the Bay and with a push from California Senator Dianne Feinstein, San Francisco’s Transbay Terminal will receive a much needed $171 million federal loan. (Chronicle)
A DOT town hall forum in Minnesota attended by Secretary Ray LaHood and key elected officials yielded a “united front” on the need for a comprehensive transportation bill. (Finance and Commerce)
Two Washington DC Metro workers were struck and killed by a piece of equipment yesterday. (WP)
And, Senator Robert Byrd, 92 years-old and still representing coal-rich West Virginia, is getting tougher on his state’s energy industry. (TNR)
Today’s Headlines – 1/26/10
January 26, 2010By Transportation for America
With finite funding, high-speed rail is most effective when focused on viable, medium-sized projects, building support for larger efforts down the road. (Yglesias)
Florida is on track for $2.6 billion to build a rail link between Tampa and Orlando. (Streetsblog)
Rail could help bring downtown Detroit back to life, according to PBS’ “Blueprint America: Beyond the Motor City.” (Free-Press)
Secretary Ray LaHood’s Department of Transportation is taking action against distracted driving among commercial truckers and bus drivers. (DOT Blog)
And, Bill Gates warned Congress not to dawdle on energy investment, calling for “innovation, not insulation.” (TNR)
Today’s Headlines – 1/25/10
January 25, 2010By Transportation for America
The Obama administration will name two federal representatives to the Washington DC Metro board. (WP)
High-speed rail advocates hope President Obama and Vice President Biden’s trip to Florida this Thursday is transit-related. (Tribune)
Teens are waiting longer to get their driver’s licenses, even in suburban areas where public transportation is limited. (WP)
A tea party sponsored ballot measure to delay California’s global warming law would increase short-term profits but prevent long-term clean energy investment. (LA Times)
Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell’s proposed oil severance tax got a boost today in a Scranton editorial. (Times-Tribune)
And, Mississippi officials will lead meetings on potential light rail and bus-rapid transit along the I-69 corridor. (Commercial Appeal)
Today’s Headlines – 1/22/10
January 22, 2010By Transportation for America
Three Democrats are joining Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski and 35 fellow Republicans in an effort to prevent the EPA from regulating greenhouse gas emissions. (NYT)
During a Washington conference, mayors from across the country told President Obama their cities need more economic stimulus. (NYT)
A revised plan for New York City’s transit service would prevent the most far-reaching cuts. (City Room)
A Charleston, West Virginia debate between environmental lawyer Robert Kennedy Jr. and a prominent coal executive yielded scant middle-ground. (Green Inc.)
Despite rising hunger in the U.S., 107 million tons of grain went to ethanol use in 2009. (Grist)
BART in the San Francisco Bay Area could lose stimulus funds if officials fail to address inequities in a proposed Oakland airport connector. (SF Streetsblog)
And, America’s suburbs are home 6.4 million of the unemployed. (TNR)
Building America’s Future brings bipartisanship to rebuilding the country
January 21, 2010By Sean Barry
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| President Obama at the White House with Building America’s Future co-founders: Mayor Michael Bloomberg (I-New York City), Governor Ed Rendell (D-Pennsylvania) and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-California) |
For two years now, Building America’s Future has been beating the drum for substantive investment in our nation’s roads, bridges, railways and ports. Yesterday, the bipartisan coalition ramped up its message to Washington with a press conference pushing for a National Infrastructure Bank.
BAF has walked the walk on coalition building from its inception: Founding members include California Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Pennsylvania Democratic Governor Ed Rendell and independent Michael Bloomberg, the thrice-elected mayor of New York City. Yesterday’s event revealed a similar cross-section, with advocates from many corners of transportation.
Amid economic anxiety and disillusionment with “sausage-making” in Washington, BAF’s message is refreshingly simple: Let’s get serious about rebuilding our country and refuse to let politics get in the way.
A National Infrastructure Bank, the subject of legislation introduced by Representative Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut, would be an independent entity for selecting and financing major infrastructure projects. Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd, a Democrat, plans to shepherd companion legislation, which he originally introduced in 2007 with former Nebraska Senator Chuck Hagel, a Republican. Both are active in BAF.
Three features of the NIB lend to its bipartisan appeal:
First, a National Infrastructure Bank would choose projects based on merit, saving money by prioritizing federal funds where they’re most needed and boosting the economy by targeting projects that benefit more Americans.
Second, the bank would allow for a wider array of projects to be considered. It goes beyond paving roads and erecting bridges to include rebuilding broken classrooms, improving water treatment and storage, building high-speed rail and laying down broadband access throughout the country.
Third, the Bank would help break down the silos, so to speak, by compelling us to look at infrastructure in a broader context. Reauthorization of the federal transportation law has been more of an A-9 or Metro section issue. By making infrastructure more interesting and relevant, this proposal offers the potential to push the issue closer to page one.
Those are three good reasons Transportation for America is proud to partner with BAF on getting this bank in business, and we look forward to supporting a growing coalition of supporters to make it happen.
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- House committee ignores broad opposition, decimates transit funding anyway
February 3, 2012 - Massive letter opposing House leadership attack on transit sent to Capitol Hill
February 3, 2012 - House leadership making unprecedented assault on public transit
February 2, 2012 - House Ways and Means proposal to end guaranteed funding for public transportation undoes bipartisan agreement since Reagan
February 2, 2012 - Pedestrian deaths, blaming the victim: headphones edition
January 19, 2012
- House committee ignores broad opposition, decimates transit funding anyway
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